Alcoholic in court after daylight brawl outside Sunderland council building

Petra Silfverskiold

Two alcoholics had a daylight street brawl in Sunderland city centre after they were thrown out of a council customer service centre.

Drunken Darren Keall was arrested in Fawcett Street, on June 7, after he fought with another man in front of horrified passers-by, including children, Sunderland magistrates court heard.

At 2.20pm, the same witness saw Mr Keall and the male on the street outside, shouting and swearing and fighting with each other

Justin Gibson, prosecuting

Prosecutor Justin Gibson said: “The witness is a security guard at Sunderland City Council’s customer service centre in Fawcett Street.

“At 1.20pm his attention was drawn to two males acting suspiciously , one of them was Mr Keall. He spoke to someone on the phone on behalf of the other male and was starting to become agitated.

“Because of the foul language he went to speak to him to tell him to calm down, as there were members of the public and children present.”

Keall and his pal left the premises, the court heard, only to return later.

Mr Gibson said: “At 2.20pm, the same witness saw Mr Keall and the male on the street outside, shouting and swearing and fighting with each other. Police attended and the defendant was arrested.”

Keall, of Split Crow Road, Fenham, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive behaviour, likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He is already subject to a suspended prison sentence, the court heard.

Ian Wilson, defending, said: “He has asked me to convey his remorse.

“He’s an alcoholic and he attends court today with a support worker. He is classed as being a vulnerable individual, due to the fact he is an alcoholic.

“He was arguing with his friend, also believed to be an alcoholic.”

Keall was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge and was told to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.